Inuit association assumes responsibility for Nunavut port
A future Qikiqtarjuaq deep-sea port is officially an Inuit-led venture.
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) said it’s taking responsibility for developing the port through its for-profit arm, the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, according to a press release issued on Thursday.
Design work by the Government of Nunavut, which is transferring control of the port to the QIA, is planned to conclude this fall, and the QIA is promising to build on that to make the long-sought-after deep-sea port a reality.
Private firm Arctic Economic Development Corporation will help build the port, while the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation will own a majority stake.
“Developing the Qikiqtarjuaq port will grow the Qikiqtani economy, reduce reliance on foreign ports and reinforce Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic Archipelago and the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage,” said Harry Flaherty, CEO of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation said.
The Qikiqtarjuaq deep-sea port was one of four major infrastructure projects that the territorial government and Nunavut Tunngavik pitched to the federal government to get fast-tracked under the Building Canada Act.
So far, the Qikiqtarjuaq port hasn’t been mentioned by Prime Minister Mark Carney in his announcement of fast-tracked developments around the country. On Aug. 29, GN Community Services Minister David Akeeagok raised the Qikiqtarjuaq deep-sea port with federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson at a meeting in Iqaluit. Akeeagok said that Nunavut’s fishing vessels can’t dock in the territory because of the lack of infrastructure, and this port would change that.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Northern leaders throw support behind feds’ major projects list, CBC News
Norway: Norway, UK team up to protect subsea infrastructure against Russian hybrid attacks, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Putin in Arkhangelsk: Arctic industry and infrastructure on agenda, The Independent Barents Observer
